Mari Banks, Associate Manager for Sustainability for Darden Restaurants, had no idea that the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland might offer her once in a lifetime experience.

On Monday, December 6, Mari received the honor of releasing a rehabilitated Bald Eagle at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Golf Course in Orlando, Florida. "We usually invite one of our supporters to do this honor," explained Katie Warner, Center Administrator. "Releasing an Eagle or other raptor allows others to experience the ultimate goal of much of our work at the Center," she added.

Audubon always releases rehabilitated birds as close as possible to the area where they were found. This particular Eagle was found very close to Darden's corporate headquarters: on the golf course at the Ritz-Carlton.  Darden Restaurants and Foundation have been great friends and supporters of Audubon of Florida and the Center for Birds of Prey over the years.

Mari was very excited to release the seven pound Eagle - which came to the Center for Birds of Prey on Halloween evening with a fractured shoulder and weighing only four pounds. After less than two months, staff and volunteers were able to nurse the handsome male Eagle back to health at the Center's newly renovated Flight Barn. The event marked the 408th Eagle release from the Center.

Once Mari released the rehabilitated raptor, he looped around two times in front of the hotel, near the 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Golf Course and then headed south. Patrick, one of the pro shop's employees and one of their regular female golfers who found and reported the wounded Eagle, will keep a close eye on the now healthy bird. The Center has over 250 EagleWatchers all over the state of Florida who provide similar volunteer duties.

Another success story for the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.